Grammar Quiz: Mastering 'i Wish/If Only' Statements

Reviewed by Juliette Firla
Juliette Firla, MA (Teaching Writing) |
English Teacher
Review Board Member
Juliette is a middle school English teacher at Sacred Heart of Greenwich, Connecticut. Juliette earned a BA in English/Language Arts Teacher Education from Elon University and an MA in Teaching Writing from Johns Hopkins University. She holds a Classroom Teacher license from the Connecticut State Department of Education. Juliette possesses strong skills in English language arts, writing, editing, and literature study. She has a deep passion for working with young people and contributing to the education of America's youth in the classroom.
, MA (Teaching Writing)
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1. Which word completes the sentence?  I'm sorry I made you angry. I wish I ____ shouted at you

Explanation

The word "hadn't" completes the sentence because it is used to express a past unrealized action. The speaker is expressing regret for shouting at the person and wishes that they had not done it in the first place.

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About This Quiz
Grammar Quiz: Mastering i Wish/If Only Statements - Quiz


The "I Wish/If Only Quiz" is an engaging and educational assessment tool designed to help learners master the nuances of expressing wishes and regrets in English. This quiz... see moreconsists of multiple-choice exercises that challenge participants to navigate the intricacies of the "I wish" and "If only" structures. It serves as an invaluable resource for English language learners seeking to enhance their language skills.
In the "I Wish / If Only Quiz," test-takers are presented with various scenarios and sentences, and they must select the correct form of "I wish" or "If only" to accurately convey the intended meaning. This quiz provides learners with a platform to practice and refine their language proficiency, ensuring that they can communicate wishes, regrets, and hypothetical situations effectively.
Whether you're a student looking to improve your English or an instructor searching for a valuable assessment tool, the "I Wish / If Only Quiz" is an essential resource to help you master these important grammatical structures and boost your language fluency.
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2. Which word completes the sentence?
I wish I ____ come to the zoo with you next weekend, but I'm going to be busy.

Explanation

The word "could" is the correct answer because it is used to express a hypothetical or unreal possibility. In this sentence, the speaker is expressing a desire to come to the zoo but acknowledges that they will be busy. By using "could," the speaker is indicating that if their circumstances were different, they would be able to come to the zoo.

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3. Which word completes the sentence? 
I'm sorry I made you angry. I wish I ____ shouted at you.

Explanation

The word "hadn't" completes the sentence because it is used to express a past unrealized action. The speaker is expressing regret for shouting at the person and wishes that they had not done it in the first place.

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4. Which sentence is NOT correct?

Explanation

The correct answer is "I wish could do that!" because it is missing the word "I" before "could." The correct sentence should be "I wish I could do that!" to indicate the speaker's desire to be able to do something.

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5. Alice didn't get a good grade. She wishes she (work) _____ harder.

Explanation

The correct answer is "had worked". This is because Alice didn't get a good grade and she wishes she had worked harder. The phrase "had worked" is in the past perfect tense, indicating an action that should have been completed before another past action or event. In this case, Alice regrets not putting in more effort in the past, which could have resulted in a better grade in the present.

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6. I wish it _____ more often in Valencia. (rain)

Explanation

The correct answer is "rained, would rain" because the sentence is expressing a wish or preference for more frequent rain in Valencia. The verb "rained" is used to show a past tense wish, indicating a desire for it to have rained more often in the past. The phrase "would rain" is used to express a hypothetical or unreal condition in the present or future, indicating a desire for it to rain more often currently or in the future.

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7. Tom likes football very much. He wishes he (become) _____ a professional football player

Explanation

The correct answer is "became." In this sentence, "wishes" is used to express a desire in the present, so the correct verb form to follow is the simple past tense "became." The use of "would become" would indicate a conditional statement, which does not fit the context of the sentence.

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8. I am sorry I don't know how to use the computer. If only I (know) _____ how to use it.

Explanation

The sentence is in the past tense, and the phrase "If only" suggests a hypothetical or unreal condition. Therefore, the correct verb form to complete the sentence is "knew," which is the past tense of "know." This implies that the speaker wishes they had knowledge of how to use the computer in the past.

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9. You want to go to Sally's party, but you can't. What can you say?  

Explanation

The correct answer is "I wish I could go to your party." This is the most appropriate response because it expresses a desire to attend the party, but acknowledges that it is not possible for the person to do so. The other options do not convey the same meaning or sentiment.

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10. If only I ___________________ more time for my hobbies. (have)

Explanation

The correct answer is "had." This is because the sentence is in the second conditional form, which is used to talk about hypothetical or unreal situations in the present or future. In this case, the speaker is expressing a hypothetical situation where they don't have enough time for their hobbies. The verb "had" is the correct form to use in the if-clause of the second conditional.

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11. Your computer isn't working. What could you say?  

Explanation

The correct answer is "If only this computer were working!" This is the correct answer because it expresses a hypothetical or unreal condition in the present. The phrase "If only" is used to express a strong desire for something to be true or to express a regret about a current situation. In this case, the speaker is expressing a strong desire for the computer to be working, indicating that it is currently not functioning. The use of "were" instead of "is" indicates the unreal or hypothetical nature of the situation.

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12.  Your friend keeps hitting you. What do you say?

Explanation

The correct answer is "I wish you’d stop doing that!" This response is expressing a desire for the friend to cease their actions of hitting. The use of "I wish" indicates a polite request or plea, while "you’d stop" implies a present action that the friend should halt. The use of the contraction "you’d" suggests a contraction of "you would," further emphasizing the desired action to stop.

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13. I wish it _____ more often in Valencia. (rain)

Explanation

The correct answer is "rained, would rain" because the sentence is expressing a wish or preference for more frequent rain in Valencia. The verb "rained" is used to show a past tense wish, indicating a desire for it to have rained more often in the past. The phrase "would rain" is used to express a hypothetical or unreal condition in the present or future, indicating a desire for it to rain more often currently or in the future.

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14. Which sentence is correct?

Explanation

The correct sentence is "I wish I were going to the beach with my friends!" This sentence is correct because it uses the correct verb form "were" for the subjunctive mood. The subjunctive mood is used to express hypothetical or unreal situations. In this case, the speaker is expressing a wish or desire to go to the beach with their friends, even though it may not be possible or currently happening.

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15. She's keen on computers. She wishes she (study) _____ computer science next school year.

Explanation

The given sentence is in the present tense, indicating that the person is currently keen on computers. However, they express a wish to study computer science in the future. In English, when expressing a hypothetical or unreal situation in the future, we use the conditional form "would + base form of the verb." Therefore, the correct answer is "would study," indicating the person's desire to study computer science in the next school year.

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16. If only I _____  there, I wouldn't have got a fine. (park NEGATIVE)

Explanation

The correct answer is "hadn't parked." This is because the phrase "If only I hadn't parked there" implies that the speaker did park in a certain location, which resulted in them receiving a fine. By using the negative form of the verb "park," it suggests that if the speaker had not parked there, they would not have received the fine.

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17. What CANNOT go in the space?
He’s really handsome! If only I ___ ten years younger!  

Explanation

The correct answer is "would be". In the given sentence, the speaker is expressing a hypothetical or unreal condition. They are saying that they wish they were ten years younger, which is contrary to the reality. The phrase "would be" is used to express hypothetical or unreal conditions, while "were" and "was" are used for subjunctive mood or past unreal situations.

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18. I wish I ___________________  to go to your nephew's wedding. (have NEGATIVE)

Explanation

The correct answer is "wouldn't have" and "hadn't had". These options are correct because they both indicate a negative sentiment towards attending the nephew's wedding. "Wouldn't have" implies that the speaker does not want to go, while "hadn't had" suggests that the speaker did not have the desire or opportunity to attend. Both options convey a negative sentiment towards attending the wedding.

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19. He was running very fast when he had a heart attack. If only he (not/run) _____ so fast.

Explanation

The correct answer is "hadn't run". This is because the sentence is in the past perfect tense, indicating an action that happened before another past action. The phrase "If only he hadn't run so fast" suggests that if he hadn't run at such a high speed, he might not have had a heart attack.

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20. I wish it _____ so much. The garden's turned to mud. (rain NEGATIVE)

Explanation

The correct answer is "hadn't rained." This answer is correct because the speaker is expressing a wish that the rain did not happen. The phrase "hadn't rained" is in the past perfect tense, indicating an action that did not occur in the past. The use of "so much" suggests that the rain caused significant damage to the garden, turning it into mud. Therefore, the speaker is expressing regret or disappointment about the rain and its effects on the garden.

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21. I stayed late at work and missed the last bus. I wish I (stay) _____ at work late.

Explanation

The correct answer is "hadn't stayed." This is because the speaker is expressing regret about staying late at work and missing the last bus. The use of "hadn't" suggests that the speaker wishes they had not stayed late at work, indicating that they believe staying late was a mistake or had negative consequences.

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22. I wish I _____ drunk and kissed Samantha. (get NEGATIVE)

Explanation

The correct answer is "hadn't gotten" because it is the negative form of the past perfect tense. The sentence expresses a regretful wish about the past, indicating that the speaker did get drunk and kiss Samantha, but wishes that they hadn't. By using "hadn't gotten," it implies that the speaker did possess the state of being drunk, which led to the action of kissing Samantha.

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23. I wish I ___________________  to go to your nephew's wedding. (have NEGATIVE)

Explanation

The correct answer is "wouldn't have" and "hadn't had". These options are correct because they both indicate a negative sentiment towards attending the nephew's wedding. "Wouldn't have" implies that the speaker does not want to go, while "hadn't had" suggests that the speaker did not have the desire or opportunity to attend. Both options convey a negative sentiment towards attending the wedding.

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Juliette Firla |MA (Teaching Writing) |
English Teacher
Juliette is a middle school English teacher at Sacred Heart of Greenwich, Connecticut. Juliette earned a BA in English/Language Arts Teacher Education from Elon University and an MA in Teaching Writing from Johns Hopkins University. She holds a Classroom Teacher license from the Connecticut State Department of Education. Juliette possesses strong skills in English language arts, writing, editing, and literature study. She has a deep passion for working with young people and contributing to the education of America's youth in the classroom.

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Which word completes the sentence?  ...
Which word completes the sentence?I wish I ____ come to the zoo with...
Which word completes the sentence? I'm sorry I made you angry. I...
Which sentence is NOT correct?
Alice didn't get a good grade. She wishes she (work) _____ harder.
I wish it _____ more often in Valencia. (rain)
Tom likes football very much. He wishes he (become) _____ a...
I am sorry I don't know how to use the computer. If only I (know)...
You want to go to Sally's party, but you can't. What can you say?...
If only I ___________________ more time for my hobbies. (have)
Your computer isn't working. What could you say?  
 Your friend keeps hitting you. What do you say?
I wish it _____ more often in Valencia. (rain)
Which sentence is correct?
She's keen on computers. She wishes she (study) _____ computer...
If only I _____  there, I wouldn't have got a fine. (park...
What CANNOT go in the space?He’s really handsome! If only...
I wish I ___________________  to go to your nephew's wedding....
He was running very fast when he had a heart attack. If only he...
I wish it _____ so much. The garden's turned to mud. (rain...
I stayed late at work and missed the last bus. I wish I (stay) _____...
I wish I _____ drunk and kissed Samantha. (get NEGATIVE)
I wish I ___________________  to go to your nephew's wedding....
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